Hey, wanted to share my captain Kuro analysis and ideas here 😾⚫🌘🌙.

The last time we saw captain Kuro was chapter 40. Now in chapter 1072, 1032 chapters after he left the Imu parralels start to become apparent.

Lets start with Kuros impact that lasts until today:

• his first mate Jango is a powerful hypnotist 🌀 (without using a devilfruit power) that made one of his appearances in chapter 907 sitting at a table while Garp talks about Rocks, a famous forgotten pirate
• his “death” organized by captain Morgans (he was tricked by hypnosis) lead to promotion to a marine captain – a rank his son Helmeppo has not reached even as of now (chapter 1085)
• the last time we see his ship depart is in the chapter 127 cover story. Most likely the ship sank because its ceel was broken by Luffy, but we know Kuros survivorship skills: He captured an entire marine ship by his lonesome on a liveboat 🚣.
• the concept of name (the D clan is just one example) and its relation to identity is fundamental to One Piece. The conflict of getting your name and identity known in world wide press and living a live in peace is first shown in Kuros arc - this is where the connection to Imu begins …

Hunted by marines and spies and bounty hunters I grew sick of the relentless harassment. So, on that fateful day three years ago … I decided I had to die !! Black cat pirates crew Mates: Oh … that day … yeah … the incident ! ~ Chapter 37

Kuros flashback shows him as a badass pirate captain in his prime. He wears the signature black long coat with the captains emblem on his shoulders. The long coat even moves with the wind. Luffy only got this visiual marking of a captain  after Whole Cake Island, sieging Yonko territory. Kuro Handles an entire marine crew battle ship by himself, while traveling to it in a liveboat 🚣, under his signature battle weather: the crescent moon. His first mate trusts him, because of his success, powers and intelligence. And Kuro is his own navigator, as evident by the globe 🌎 in his captains quarters.

Kuros crew: The marines … They have been massacred !!! Sham: I know he is out captain but this gives me goosebumps. Buchi: Aye, and all of the trained soldiers too … ~ Chapter 37

As opposed to Luffy, Kuro seems to be an universalist captain, dabbling in all aspects of leading a pirate crew, while still able to survive on his own in a tiny liveboat 🛶 against a marine battleship or as a useful servant in a mansion.

The concept of the memory of a known pirate to be completely erased and the real name of a pirate being forgotten is not unique in One Piece: The Rocks Pirates where forgotten, Gol D Rogers name was warped to “Gold Roger” (chapter 154). But Kuro was the first sketch of such a concept – a pirate that was willing to change his own name 🤫, pretending his own death in exchange for wealth and a peaceful live.

The unknown identity of a forgotten power … does this not remind you of someone, perhaps the Imu reveal in chapter 906?

I never intended to let any of you leave here alive. I can not let anyone live who knows my true identity ~ Kuro Chapter 38

Imu also attacks everyone who knows about his identity as the one sitting on the empty throne (Sabo & Kobra) 🪑

The villains in One Piece often differ from the Main Character Luffy in one particular way. For Kuro its the willingness to erase his name 🔠, while Luffy says:

If you dont want a reputation you should not be a pirate !!!!

Im Monkey D. Luffy !!! […] You do all better remeber that name. […] I am going to be the king of the pirates !! ~ Luffy chapter 40

Note the danger even the single letter D in Luffys name holds. And lets not forget about the notorious Monkey D family tree, containing Garp and Dragon. Kuro was known as the only man who outfoxed the navy and convinced them of his own death, Luffy would never do such a thing, as it is the opposite of his character.

Kuro of the thousand plans, the Man who outfoxed the navy! He really did it! He trounced Kuro !! ~ Random black cat pirate

The left claw 🖐

• in chapter 37 Kuro only uses his left claw to defeat the entire marine ship and defeat captain Morgan. At least we never see the right claw in a panel in the flashback. Does this mean he defeated them all left handed? Or is his right claw weaker? this hints at …
  • the left claw being the stronger one
    • Kuro having strong fighting potential even after loosing the other claw
    • Kuro getting weaker, while staying 3 years at Kayas mansion at peace. He needs to rely on both claws to pose a danger.
    • Kuro being capable of survival without the right claw
• later he looses his right cat claw to Luffy.

Kuros broken right claw 💔🐈

Kuro right claw was broken in chapter 37. These claws seem to be very valuable, since they are unique weapons Kuro decided to keep for 3 years under the danger of them being discovered and his plan being ruined. When Kuro returns – as his bounty has been reactivated – there are two possibilities:

• he still uses just the claws in one hand and the 5 broken ones on the other to show he has not forgotten his fight with the future emperor Luffy and has a plan of revenge
• he uses 3 claws on one hand and 2 on the other

• his left claw was enough to be a danger as previously discussed in the section “the left claw”

Kuros fans & followers 🖤🐱⚫

Kuro also has a kind of fanclub: his pirate crew. All of them, being members of the “black cat pirates” wear black cat ears 🐱, which makes these so called “sea devils” quite adorable. One of Kuros crewmates wears the black cat logo on his back and another one has tatooed a “black cat” text on him. The irony when a pirate wears all these fan symbols while his idolized captain wants to trick, harm and ultimatley kill you in his grand strategy, treating a member as sacrifice pawns ♟. Similar in the way Imu will treat the celestial Dragons, as I mentioned in a previous theory.

Kuros pirate-ship head was resembling a black cat. Maybe this ship gave the Black cat pirates its original name and served as their mascot. This is the same Arc where Oda introduced the iconic going Merry, and considered the relation between a crew and its ship.

Also consider Kuro was a well notorious pirate with a Bounty of 16 Million. Knowing his character and ideals he might hide his true deeds, battle experience and victories to live in more peace. Hiding his true strength from the public, especially the World government, was his lives task. But still Kuros crew and his first mate Jango where loyal and believed in their captains strength, what other deeds might they have witnessed on these high seas 🚣?

Another interesting dialoge line from Kuro:

I will show you the ferocity of a pirate who has faced a thousand deaths!!

Is this statement a lie? Considering Kuro is the man with the second highest intelligence in east blue (according to an SBS Kuro is the smartest in East blue, behind only Ben Backman. Nami, even with her photographic memory is behind Kuro.) 🧠

Jango is also a fan of Kuro, and his plans, since he believed in his captains plans to be beneficial for him as well:

You have never steered us wrong before … So I have obeyed your orders. ~ Jango to Kuro

Kuro and the crescent moon 🌙🌘

The waning cresecent moon shines over all scenes where Kuros true nature becomes clearly visible.

• he attacks Merry during the crescent moon in chapter 28 called “crescent moon”.

There is a crescent moon out tonight. Nights like this do something to me. They bring out the beast in me. 🌙🌘

• his plan is enacted in his flashback in chapter 37, when the crescent moon shines he defeats an entire ship besides one person (captain Morgans) who gets hypnotized into helping him, faking his own death. 🌘🚣🌊⛵🌀

Imu parallels

Here is a quick listing of similarities of Kuro and Imu:

• He is an actor.
• His crimes are forgotten/unknown
• He is believed to be dead by the public (Imu is 800 years old at this point, if he still is Nerona Imu who created the World Government)
  • His name was changed by him. Klahadore is his new name. Saint Imu is Nerona Imus new name?
• His plan was implemented over a long timeframe (3 years in Kuros case, 800 years in Imus case).

Captain Kuros pussy foot maneuver is a technique for undetectable movement. You could gather 50 assasins and the would all be dead before they knew he was near.

This technique is fitting for someone hiding, lurking in the shaddows. Wanting his past identity to be forgotten. Kuro has become an assasin himself.

Other weird Kuro behavior

Kuro states he is a pacifist, showing his warped understanding of pacifism. Or a kind of pacifism that still requires him to murder his own crew:

What good are riches if you have always got the navy chasing you? I have gone legitimate. I am a pacifist now. ~ Kuro chapter 26

• this becomes interesting, as Vegapunk states that Dragon was a Pacifist in the past, seems like he was not active although with strong power potential (inherting Kings Haki from Garp) and preferred “peace” (with slavery and injustice) under the WG while hiding his strength - similar to Kuro

• notice the world riches in the Quote. Kuro was profitable, he might even have hidden a treasure somewhere to live in even more wealth in Kayas mansion. Or his treasure was meant to fall back on if his plan failed.
• Kuro understood the power of the world government and the exhaustive chase. Many other villains in the story are similarly broken by recognizing the World Government in their past: Arlong was also sent to Impel down.

---

Kayas parents

The following Dialoge in chapter 26 is really weird to me:

Jango: And after you went and slaughtered the girls (Kayas) whole family!

Kuro: I nevere slaughtered anyone! Kayas parents deaths … Well, that was not part of my plan.

Why would Oda include such a little detail about Kuro NOT murdering Kayas parents in chapter 26. How did they really die? Or is this the first hint at Kuros lies, as he planned to slaughter his whole crew, including Jango he never told everyone the full truth. Lets list what we know about Kayas parents:

• They where the prior owners of a ship that had a soul (the Klabautermann of the going Merry) and had a servant with exotic horns (Merry) who designed the ship himself. This hints they where travelers
• Kayas father was willing to accept Kuro into his house when he was homeless
• This sounds to me like Kayas parents where travelers (using the Going Merry) who made money on the seas in east blue
• in chapter 41 Kaya states:

My illnes for the past year was caused by the shock and sadness of losing both my parents.

• could they be friends of Yasopp? why would a famous marksman like Yasopp still developing his skills have is residence in Syrup village, could Kayas parents transport him to Lougetown and other places?
• did Kayas parents die of the same disease as Usopps mom? Would be fitting, since Kayas goal is to become a Doctor to cure diseases to lessen the pain of others?

Chapter 33 & Davy Jones

Buchi states:

We plundered countless villages .. we sent many a rival crew down to see davy jones !!

If this is the first mention of Davy Yones in the entire story this is huge. But it is different in translations.

---

Kuro Theories

Kuro Mink similarities

There is a crescent moon out tonight. Nights like this do something to me. They bring out the beast in me. ~ Chapter 28 titled “Crescent Moon”

• Kuros memory of his past seems to be related to the moon phases similar to the Minks, In chapter 889 Jimbei states:

When the minks stare into the full moon on a clear night they call forth the wild memories that lurk deep within their subconscious.

• similar to that Minks Sulong transformation is related to the moon phases and the memories about their past. 🌝🌜
• In chapter 805: when seeing the destruction left by the Minks in their main city while fighting Jack Franky states:

Can not even be sure if the enemy is human. Lots of marks that look like claw slashes. ~ Franky, Chapter 805

This may hint that Kuros characteristic cat-like powers are somehow related to the original Minks moon powers, or explains how the Minks where first created by humans with animalistic tendencies.

• when Kuro attacked and defeated the marine ship in chapter 37 he left many similar claw slashes.
  • Blackbeard also left Claw Slashes on Shanks face, his claw weapons are similar to Kuros.
• Carrot uses similar claw gloves to Kuros as weapons. Her gloves are white, Kuros are black. Carrots affinity to this weapon type instead of normal sword is explicitly recognized by Pedro, he stopped teaching Carrot to fight with a sword. 🐇😺

Kuro was his own navigator

In chapter 37 we see Kuros captains quarters. A prominent asset on a table is a giant globe 🌍, showing the red line spanning the equator of the planet. Also books and notes on the table, showing his interest in collecting and storing his experience while traveling the oceans.

• is this the only appearance of a globe of the OP-World in the entire story? no:
  • we see a globe of the world in germa66 dining room as well. But this nation has crossed the red line multiple times in the past. Might Kuro have done the same? The globe points at Kuros knowledge about the red line.
• since Namis dream is to draw a map of the world, and this globe already represents the world map, what is left of Namis dream besides all Blue and Loadstar island? I will cover this in more detail in a future post.

Other prominent features on Kuros table are books and a sand clock.

---

Kuro planned to be a hero

• Kuro planned to kill his entire pirate crew, after the raid on Syrup village, after they accomplished killing Kaya
• Kuro wanted to be treated normally by the villagers to enter a peacefull live
• the way to achieve this, is waiting until the situation gets desperate for the villagers, before he kills off his entire crew, including Jango
  • that would make him a hero of the village an earn a huge reputation as a protector of the villagers
  • maybe Imu has a similar plan, but plans to implement it on the global scale

But alass: Ain’t not fu**** rest for the wicked

Attention to Detail & Battle Instincts

The Necktie detail 👔

After klahadore unties his Necktie before attacking Merry (chapter 28) 👔, yes there is a panel dedicated in the Manga to the subtile untying of the Necktie, which also exists in the Anime, he never ties it back in an orderly manner. This shows he was annoyed by that tight tie around his neck the entire time he acted as Kayas babysitter. As a captain he never wore one, as evident in his flashback, his black shirt was wide open leaving his neck freedom. This little instinct of his might hint at a deeper problem with his plans: He will never fully be able to let go of his pirate past and his preferences. Similar to his subtile habit on moving his glasses with his palm, due to the blades. Eventually his pirate past will come to light.

The Symbol 💩. Heritage?

The protectors of Kuros finger-blades have the same “shit” Symbol as is depicted on his suit in the Anime, in the Manga Kuro reveals his blades in chapter 33 without showing the symbol. Still it is prominently shown on his suit on both of his chest.

How might this symbol relate to him, was it his family symbol? I ask this, as there is a cover story of Kuro reading a book titled “Heritage” with black cats under the crescent moon, while he still wears his suit 🌙💭. How did Kayas parents not recognize the symbol if it was somehow well known?

Experienced Combatant Analysis

I will show you the ferocity of a pirate who has faced a thousand deaths!!

Kuro reacts decidedly different to Luffys devilfruit powers than the rest of his crew. While others panic about the Rubber powers, Kuro calmly analyzes the stretching ability and even manages to develop a strategy against it.

You bore me, boy ~ Kuro after dodging Luffys pistol attack and standing on his fist; Chapter 37.

This suggests he has witnessed combatants with crazy devilfruit abilities in the past.

So stretching is not your only talent. ~ Kuro chapter 37

Rewatching the Anime of Kuros fighting scenes, considering these details, and seeing him laugh and smile during combat, it really seems like Kuro enjoys the thrill of battle, improvisation in face of unknown forces and is open to it. I think Kuro missed fighting, sometimes his rational mind can be overwritten to follow his true instincts: That would be the symbol of his speedy cat foot technique, where he can not even clearly aim at his target.

---

Another excellent fan theory by the crap cafe on the past of Kuro, which also combines with Kuro analysis. An interesting point that is brought up in the comments under the Video is the Feline connection 😺😾. Kuro, Who is Who and Rob Lucci have strong feline connections:

• Kuro fights with claw weapons and his crew is named “Black cat pirates”
• Who is Who and Rob Lucci both ate devil fruits and use their fingertips to fight: “finger pistol”.

Kuro betrayed Kaya under his new name. Who is Who had to flee the World Government and get a new name/identity under a pirate banner. Lucci also had to flee the government after he failed at Ennies Lobby.

And the similarities do not end here. Betrayal and disobedience to their masters seems to be these feline characters mission. This is opposed to the dogs who symbolice loyal dicipline and obedience to the world government:

• Garp wears a dog mask during his introduction. Is loyal to the world government in public.
• Vice Admiral Bulldog and Hound exist.

Conclusion

Hidden Details are cool as a writing concept 🖋🔥. Simple facts might stack and branch into complexity. This youtube AMV/Edit of Kuro contains many scenes discussed in this article/essay on Kuro. Thank you for reading! CAPTAIN KURO EDIT ONEPIECE